Frequently Asked Questions

In my relatively short time as a resident of this community, I’ve been inspired by the vibrant spirit and the sense of unity that defines Lincoln City. As a professional who has dedicated their career to working towards the greater good, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse communities and understanding their unique needs and challenges. When I was approached in 2023 about the opportunity to serve on the City Council, I questioned why I was chosen, just as you might be questioning my relatively short tenure here.

However, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in meaningful conversations with individuals across the city, members of the community, and various council members helping me see the bigger picture and the importance of both small victories and long-term visions in public service.

While it’s true that I haven’t resided here for an extensive period, my roots in Oregon run deep, and my profession allows me the flexibility to choose where to live. We intentionally chose Lincoln City as our home because of the strong sense of community and the potential for growth and improvement. My daily work revolves around identifying opportunities for progress, celebrating even the smallest successes, and persistently striving for a greater future.

I continue to be committed to contributing my expertise and passion to make Lincoln City an even better place for all of us and for the generations that follow. I firmly believe that my skills and dedication align with the values of this community, and I’m excited to work alongside all of you in building a brighter future for Lincoln City.

My description as a ‘reluctant leader’ stems from a deep understanding of my own leadership style, which I explored during my master’s program. In my thesis titled ‘The Reluctant Leader,’ I delved into the concept of leadership. I found that leadership often comes with the stereotype of being outgoing and seeking the spotlight, whereas I have always been more focused on the work itself, allowing the work to speak for itself and make a positive impact.

I find personal satisfaction in knowing that my contributions lead to positive outcomes, and I don’t actively seek accolades or the spotlight. I thrive as a ‘do-er,’ someone who enjoys collaborating with other leaders, and when the community calls upon me to serve in a leadership role, I am more than willing to step up and serve to the best of my ability. So, to clarify, being a ‘reluctant leader’ doesn’t mean I don’t want the position; it means I approach leadership with humility and a strong commitment to the community’s well-being.

A data scientist is like a detective for numbers and information. We use computer skills to find hidden patterns in “information” to help companies make better decisions, like what products to sell or how to improve their services. At Boston Medical Center, I help our medical staff prioritize care, monitor for potential issues that might impact care delivery & implement corrective actions before an issue can occur, and even help determine the best medical supplies to purchase based on the medical staff skill sets and trainings.

A data architect is like a master planner for information. We design how data is stored, organized, and used so that businesses can easily find and understand it, just like arranging files in a well-structured filing cabinet for easy access. At Boston Medical Center, I design and oversee how we store, access, and retrieve patient medical records, cross referenced with Pharmacy, Claims, and even Medicare/Medicaid records, across all locations.

My professional training encompasses a diverse range of frameworks and methodologies, including CMMI 3.0, ITIL, Lean, Six Sigma, TOGAF, Zachman, and a Master’s degree in Predictive Analytics Data Science from Northwestern University. Each of these qualifications brings unique advantages to my role as a City Councilman.

• CMMI 3.0: This enables me to assess and improve city processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
• ITIL Framework: I can apply IT service management principles to enhance the delivery of city services, ensuring they are reliable and responsive to residents’ needs.
• Lean and Six Sigma: These methodologies help reduce waste and improve quality, allowing me to streamline city operations for cost-effectiveness and improved services.
• TOGAF and Zachman: These frameworks provide a blueprint for understanding how different aspects of city functions fit together, aiding in long-term planning and creating a more cohesive and efficient local government.
• Master’s in Predictive Analytics Data Science: This advanced degree equips me with the skills to analyze data and make data-driven decisions, which is invaluable for identifying trends, addressing issues, and ensuring that city policies and services are well-informed and effective.

In simpler terms, my extensive training and education enable me to make city operations smoother, cost-effective, data-informed, and better aligned with our residents’ needs. I am committed to leveraging these skills to ensure our local government runs efficiently and delivers high-quality services to our community.

I’m glad you asked about ‘Long Fuse, Big Bang.’ This phrase has a deep significance for me, and it’s a concept I’ve embraced in my approach to challenges and problem-solving. I first encountered this idea from Dr. Eric Haseltine during a keynote address many years ago. Dr. Haseltine’s message is profound but simple – it’s about recognizing that lofty, grandiose objectives can often feel overwhelming and unrealistic.

‘Long Fuse, Big Bang’ encourages us to break down these ambitious goals into daily, incremental victories. This approach, while seemingly straightforward, offers a powerful way to approach any challenge. It emphasizes the importance of consistent progress and the accumulation of small wins on the path to achieving something truly significant.

For a more in-depth exploration of this concept, I recommend reading Dr. Eric Haseltine’s book titled ‘Long Fuse, Big Bang: Achieving Long-Term Success Through Daily Victories.’ It provides valuable insights into how daily efforts can lead to substantial long-term success. This philosophy underpins my personal approach to addressing issues and making positive changes, and I believe it’s an approach that can benefit our community as well.

Sort of! Maisy (6) is pure Siberian Husky. Nymeria (5) is 50% Siberian Husky and 50% Pomeranian. Stella (3) is 75% Siberian Husky and 25% Pomeranian. My wife can been seen often walking all three together on the beach

Oorah! When we first married almost ten years ago, I was informed that I (at the age of 44) did NOT know how to correctly fold a t-shirt; my wife keeps me in line!

My wife, Raquel, will always suggest Ticket to Ride when asked, and I enjoy playing HeroQuest with friends and family. The majority of our games are cooperative; have you ever tried playing a competitive board game with a Marine, let alone two or three? We have lots of cooperative games!

Not really. I maintain a LinkedIn account for professional networking, and I run an Instagram account for our dog Nymeria (aka Mira). After a career spanning over thirty years in the technology industry, and having insights into how these platforms handle user information, I’ve made a deliberate choice not to participate on platforms like Facebook or Twitter at this time.

We have owned many motorcycles over the years, but i have a deep fondness for Ducati Air Cooled Twin motors. Currently, I am riding a 2023 Triumph Rocket 3 GT, and my wife is riding a 2018 Ducati Scrambler 800 Icon. I have previously owned a Hypermotard, several Monsters, XDiavel S, Harley Davidson Dyna Defender, and several others.

My wife’s motto in the Marine Corps was “If the boys can do it, then so can I”, and she lives by that motto to this day. When we were dating, she rode on the back of my bike twice, decided that being a passenger was ‘boring’, and got her endorsement! Her first motorcycle was a Harley Davison Super Low, which she later traded for the Ducati Scrambler 800

Unfortunately no, I am not a developer by trade. I am able to do development work, but there are people much better qualified than I. I am happy to provide introductions if requested.